Be Smart About Financial Aid

Due to the recent economic downturn, families faced with paying $20,000 per year for college tuition are looking into financial aid opportunities. The problem, however, is that universities are also facing cutbacks throughout various departments. Still, universities are willing to offer aid to students in need and want the student to attend their university. Thus, financial aid is available; just be smart about receiving it.

In order to receive the best possible amount, remember to update your status with the financial aid office. If a main breadwinner recently lost his/her job, let the university know. Also, a student that defers and works for a year also hinders his/her chance of obtaining a larger amount of aid. Since financial aid applications ask for the student and parents’ income, with the addition of the student’s income, it can possibly lower the amount of aid. In addition, look towards lesser known private universities. Private colleges are more inclined to offer more aid in order to guarantee that the student will accept their offer of admission. Furthermore, high school seniors should actively seek out scholarship opportunities. Nowadays, anything big or small can contribute to defraying the high cost of attending college.

Adrienne Kwan
Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Cal State Univ. (CSU) Admissions Impacted by Budget Cuts

Since the budget cuts in CSU and UC system, both organizations are forced to reanalyze their admission requirements and include other measures. According to Jaschik’s article, due to budget cuts this year, the California State University (CSU) system is undergoing changes to its admission process. Last year, only six of the 23 campuses had to include “competitive measures” beyond the requirements to decide what students should be admitted. This year, however, 12 campuses have already adopted this practice and it is predicted that more campuses will follow. As a result, students that meet CSU’s requirements are not guaranteed a spot into one of the 23 campuses. Furthermore, there have been cases of high school guidance counselors who are handling 950 student cases—thus, each senior may not receive the individual attention needed to be accepted into a CSU. Guidance counselors are also encouraging high school seniors to look for private or out-of state universities as alternatives to CSU schools. Therefore, high school seniors need to have more than the bare minimum to enter into a CSU school; they have to go above and beyond everything they do.

Adrienne Kwan, Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Are Community Colleges Worth It?

Due to the economy, community colleges are starting to appear as a favorable choice over a four year university. High school seniors attending community college after graduating can save money and have direct admittance into a four year university. The problem, however, is that the transition from community college to a university may not be as smooth. For example, some community college credits may not transfer over to the four-year college. Thus, there might be a delay in graduating within four years from college (community and four-year college included). In addition, there is a dramatic level of change within the classroom from a community college to a four year university. Since community colleges can have larger classes, students receive less individual attention. Yet in a four year university, a student’s work can undergo more criticism; thus resulting in a lower grade. Therefore, if a student received straight A’s in community college, getting lower grades can be a shock. Besides academics, the social aspect of community college to four year university has its drawbacks. Given that the student will be transferring as a third year, it is difficult to “fit in” since the other students have established their social groups.

Still, with all these obstacles, there are solutions. For any high school senior enrolling into community college before transferring, remember to check what classes transfer to the desired four year university. Prepare yourself for the academic and social changes when first attending the four year university. Finally, take advantage of opportunities at the community college and four year university—school is what you make out of it.

Adrienne Kwan
Social Media Director
University Advisors

College Essay Editing: How Far Is Too Far?

A high school senior’s personal response can make or break an application. The problem, however, is determining how much an essay should be edited by a teacher. Recently, as discussed in Richard’s column, teachers are often conflicted as to how much help should be given to high school seniors. To some teachers, editing and rewriting parts of someone’s essay is acceptable. Yet to others, teachers feel it’s only valid to encourage students to find their “voice”. Still, there are services offered online and in person that greatly edits a high school seniors’ essay. Services can guarantee “Complete package” that provide “‘an upfront, wide-ranging interview, an outline, and after you write it, editing your essay’”. Though these services are appealing, being accepted based on your own writing can only make you feel more accomplished with your own work, not an overly edited work.

Adrienne Kwan, Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Letters of Recommendation

When applying to colleges, a quality letter of recommendation can only benefit a high school senior’s overall application. Getting a quality letter of recommendation, however, is more of a challenge. First, ask a teacher, mentor, sports coach—someone who knows you as a student and person—to write your letter. Someone who actually knows and interacts with you makes for a better letter of recommendation. Always ask politely and allow enough time for the letters of recommendation to be complete. Plan two or three weeks ahead of time so the person writing you the letter will not feel pressured. In addition, tell the recommender of your personal college goals so in the letter, he/she can focus on those topics. Furthermore, always provide envelopes and stamps. When the letters are sent in, send a thank you note to your recommenders. Thank you notes show that you appreciate their effort and he/she will be impressed by your consideration.

Adrienne Kwan, Social Media Director
University Advisors
Facebook
Lindekin
Twitter

Investing in Standardized Test Preparation

Taking the SATs and ACTs are daunting for every high school student. For every parent, however, the SATs and ACTs bring up the question of whether or not extra help is necessary for their child. Ever since Stanley Kaplan began a tutoring service 70 years ago, other test preparation companies have developed from his original concept. According to this article, Kaplan makes $2 billion in revenue and more than a million students register for the courses offered. Still, although it is a booming business, parents must consider these two questions:

1. Is your son and daughter motivated to set aside time to study?
2. How much money are you willing to spend?

If your son and daughter are willing to set aside time, then enrolling into SAT or Act prep courses can be useful. In addition, any point increase for the standardized test scores is always beneficial. Nevertheless, high school seniors also need strong extracurricular activities, a good GPA, and convincing essays.

Adrienne Kwan, Social Media Director
University Advisors
Facebook
Lindekin
Twitter

College Admission Rates

Although many Americans believe that college admission rates have severely dropped, rates have only declined slightly. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the college acceptance rate for 2001 was 71.3% while in 2007, it was 66.8%. The difference is only 4.5%; thus, college acceptances have somewhat declined. Still, in regards to high school seniors applying this year, the chances of being accepted is marginally raised due to the poor economy. Since universities are looking to recover from financial losses, colleges will be admitting more students, increasing wait list size, and also offering more grants.

As a high school senior, however, apply to colleges that personally interest you. Even though a college may be close to home or “convenient”, explore what each college campus has to offer. In addition, look into classes that seem appealing. Furthermore, find a college life that suits you. College is an experience each person wants to enjoy and later cherish.

Adrienne Kwan
Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Building the Correct Digital Reputation

Nowadays, teenagers are connected to one another through the World Wide Web. The era of snail mail has transformed to the era of Twitter, Facebook, Myspace etc. There are many outlets for teenagers to be involved in a social network online. It is easy to upload pictures and leave comments on other people’s pages. The problem, however, is that college admission officers and prospective employers are also using these online tools to search for more information about the applicant. By searching online about the applicant, it offers them a more “complete” view of the person they might want to hire or accept for college. The online social networks can connect long lost friends together, but can also jeopardize a person’s future.

For that reason, before uploading pictures or updating about your current mood, think about how this information can be received by potential employers or college admission officers. Use the privacy settings that are part of the online social webpage. In addition, when in doubt of placing something online, do not post it. It is extremely important to think twice before posting pictures, personal updates online. Thus, be careful and be smart. Students want to encourage prospective employers and college admission officers to want them, not discourage.

Adrienne Kwan
University Advisors
Social Media Director

Choosing Your Perfect College

Here are several tips before embarking on your first college fair:

1. Look to see what colleges will be participating. Then, pick and choose the colleges that you’re interested in. Go online and research each college. Remember to prepare questions to ask the college representatives during the college fair.

2. When at the college fair, remember to have pen/pencil, paper, your list of questions, and a bag to hold the college informational packets. Also, you should find out the location of each college representative and plan out the most efficient route. In addition, don’t forget to attend financial aid workshops that might be offered at the fair.

3. When at a table, ask the college representatives the questions you have prepared. Ask smart questions about the university’s campus—about the different programs offered, extracurricular activities, and the general atmosphere of the campus. Remember to jot down notes on each university.

4. After leaving the college fair, look through each university informational packet. Mark down which colleges stood out more than others. Then, go out and plan to explore the various campuses. Don’t be afraid to venture onto the off-beaten track! Smaller and lesser known universities also have a lot to offer. If the campus is appealing, follow through by going on a campus tour, or talking to the university’s admission officer.

Adrienne Kwan, Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Social Media in College Admissions

Facebook? Blogging? Twitter? Colleges are beginning to utilize social media to reach out to potential applicants. As seen on Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s university website, college officials have allowed for student blogs to be posted on the website. In addition, other universities such as Amherst, Bates, Carleton, and Yale have embraced this recent trend. According to this article, high school seniors applying to MIT have found the student blogs refreshing. It allows for applicants to learn about the university from a college student’s perspective, rather than what the officials try to paint the campus as.

By having students’ blogs on a university website, it creates a more complete view of the university. Instead of having typical descriptions of a college’s positive features, high school seniors can see the good with the bad. For a university, utilizing social media outlets on the website can only have positive outcomes.

Adrienne Kwan
University Advisors
Director of Social Media

Ten Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Educational Consultant

Recently, the Independent Educational Consultants Association put out a bring Q and A for families who are considering using an educational consultant to work with their child(ren). Below are the questions and University Advisors' answers are in CAPS:

1. Do you guarantee admission to a school, one of my top choices, or a certain minimum dollar value in scholarships? NO

2. How do you keep up with new trends, academic changes and evolving campus cultures? How often do you get out and visit college, school, and program campuses and meet with admissions representatives? WE ATTEND CONFERENCES AND VISIT SCHOOLS TO STAY UPDATED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN COLLEGE/GRADUATE ADMISSIONS.

3. Do you belong to any professional associations? YES. WE BELONG TO NACAC AND HECA.

4. Do you attend professional conferences or training workshops on a regular basis to keep up with regional and national trends and changes in the law? YES

5. Are all fees involved stated in writing, up front, indicating exactly what services I will receive for those fees? YES

6. Will you complete the application for admission, re-write my essays or fill out the financial aid forms on my behalf? NO. THE STUDENT DRIVES THE PROCESS AND COMPLETES THESE FORMS.

7. How long have you been in business as an educational consultant? OVER TEN YEARS

8. What was your background prior to going into educational consulting? What was your training and education? UNIVERSITY ADVISORS HAVE MASTERS DEGREES IN COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED FIELDS. WE HAVE WORKED IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND HIGHER EDUCATION AS WELL.

9. Will you use personal connections to get me in to one of my top choices? NO

10. What specialized training do you have? WE ARE EXPERTS IN MANY ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES AND HAVE WORKED WITH STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

Considering an SAT Optional School

An above satisfactory SAT score is one of the many requirements for high school students when applying to different universities. Nowadays, however, submitting an SAT score can be optional. For example, at Wake Forest University, applicants can choose whether or not to include their SAT score. Some students opt out from sending in his/her SAT score due to low scoring. Last year, 28 percent of Wake Forest’s 10,555 applicants chose not to present his/her SAT score. In addition, students rather have the admission officer focus on his/her extracurricular activities than one standardized test.

With this new trend taking a hold, the role of SAT scores might play less of a factor in the application process. If the SAT is eliminated, will a new standardized test be produced? Also, the non-SAT option emphasizes the value of being a well rounded student and not simply relying on one factor.

Adrienne Kwan
University Advisors

New Cal State Admission Policy

College applications are coming around the corner and local San Diego high school students west of Highway 56 are no longer guaranteed a spot at San Diego State University. Due to California’s budget crisis, SDSU is cutting back on enrollment and applying a “universal eligibility system” on local students. Thus, students who originally only needed to meet the 3.0 GPA and other requirements are now scrambling. Counselors are suggesting that students retake the SATs for higher scores, send out applications to other schools etc. Although Sweetwater Union High School District and Hoover High School still have a contract with SDSU, other schools are being affected by the change in the admission policy.

This admission policy changes and budget cuts causes high school seniors and parents to speculate about “How will the application process be for me/my child?” It puts into perspective how the academic and social aspects of high school should be approached. Yes, high school should be filled with memories about football games, dances—still, prepare for the future because now, everyone is tightening up their belts.

Adrienne Kwan
University Advisors Intern

School is back!

School is back!

Seniors around the country are heading back for their final year of high school. Seniors hoping to go on to college have one more academic year to prove their college ready!

What is your academic plan? Where do you see yourself a year from now? How will you get there? Who, besides yourself, is going to help you get there?

Now that summertime has come and gone, it’s time to buckle down and get things done. Your grades will be the most important component of your senior year, if college is on the horizon. Have you signed up for rigorous classes? If you’ve struggled with specific academic areas, get the help you need to succeed now!

We can help with your college search and keep you on task.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

For Rising Seniors: College Advice for Late Summer

Act now!

Yes – waiting for the start of school is a delaying tactic that could prove to be problematic.

Following through on the list below will allow the college search/applying process to be so much easier on you and your family. In fact, you will find that you can derive some joy from this part of your senior year.

1. Look up the dates for the fall open houses at the colleges on your tentative list. Plan to attend one or more of these functions.

2. Sign up online for the SATs or ACTs to be sure that you are assured a space at the site and date of your choice.

3. Look for an answer to this question: is your academic record consistent with the profile of students your chosen universities usually accept? Look on the admission section of the colleges’ web sites and heed the requirements and the entering class profile (most universities list both).

4. Be sure that you “love your list.” If you are not enthusiastic about a college on your list, then deep-six it!

5. Identify the topic(s) for the essays that you need to write for your college choices. Sketch out an outline for each essay. Compose your first drafts(s).

6.. If your list is shy of “loved” colleges, then now is the time to email your counselor at school for an early appointment in September and/or engaging an independent college consultant. Identify possible choices by looking at the professional web site for the Higher Education Consultants of America – www.hecaonline.org. For a modest cost a consultant will help you to develop an appropriate list of universities.

Consultants can work with you in person or by distance (phone/email).

Will Dunfey
University Advisors

Five Reasons Why College Is Important For Your Future

I remember some of my high school friends asking what's the point of going to college in the early 1990s. Many of them wanted to skip college and continue being a teen-ager forever. Where are they now?

COMPLETING a college education is important for many reasons. First, a graduate from a four-year university can expect to earn almost 75% more over a 40 year period than a high school graduate earns over the same period. If money is important to your happiness, than college should be in the picture. Second, college affords you the opportunity to attain knowledge. Do you want to be ignorant or informed on various matters surrounding your daily life? Third, college introduces you to people outside of your hometown. Why is this important? It gives you another perspective and interaction with people from different backgrounds and circumstances. Fourth, college empowers you to communicate. What are the most important skills in life? Reading, writing, speaking, and thinking. College helps build and refine these skills. Finallly, college is fun. What other time in your life do you have to interact with people your same age and learn for the sake of learning?

Fifty-two percent of students at a four year college or university either drop out or transfer before earning an undergraduate degree. Do you want to be part of the statistic or do you want to select a school wisely before enrolling?

College is important and if you plan on going, strongly consider your action plan.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Do Top Schools Produce High Earners?

In about a month, high school seniors will return for their final year of high school. They’ll be pressured to excel in their grades, perform well on SATs, and stay involved with outside activities. Many will begin the college search and feel as if they need to apply to and get into a brand name school under the misconceived notion that they won’t get a high paying job if they don’t go to a top school.

A recent article in Yahoo Finance asked if elite colleges produce the best paid graduates. I recommend parents and prospective students to read it because it analyzes college from an investment point of view. Sure, college is an experience, but it is also one of the most important investments that someone will make in their future. The brand of the school has less to do with success/potential of the student than what the student makes of the education.

There are thousands of schools that students haven’t heard of that would empower them with tools, resources, and educational experience to earn a comfortable living after college. The challenge, of course, is identifying these schools after doing an assessment of a student’s criteria for admission.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

For International Students - Looking for U.S. Universities

Now is the time to do a “self-assessment” for applying to U.S. universities. A few key questions suffice:

1. Have you taken the TOEFL (if English is not your first language)? Have you taken the SATs?

2. Have you identified your academic interest? The geographic region of appeal? The location – urban, suburban, rural, small town? The cost for attending?

3. Have you looked at the web sites of U.S. universities? Have you completed the “inquiry” forms of the admission section of the web sites in order to receive information by post and email?

4. Most importantly – are your grades and scores consistent with the academic and admission requirements of the universities on your preliminary list? In short, what are your prospects for acceptance?

If your tentative list is short – perhaps very short – then now is the time to act. International students often focus on just one or two universities in the States. That often is a mistake.

International students should follow the lead of American students who apply to four or six or eight universities on average.

Take action!

1. If your list is short now is the time to think about consulting with a U.S.-based university advisor. Identify possible choices by looking at the professional web site for the Higher Education Consultants of America – www.hecaonline.org. For a modest cost a consultant will help you to develop an appropriate list of universities.

2. Look for an answer to the last question: is your academic record consistent with the profile of students your chosen universities usually accept? Look on the admission section of the colleges’ web sites and heed the requirements and the entering class profile (most universities list both).

If you judge your qualifications to be in the range with recently enrolled students, then plan to apply! If your qualifications do not appear to be reflective of your universities’ expectations, your self-assessment should result in developing a different and more appropriate list.

Will Dunfey
University Advisors
Member – Higher Education Consultants Association

Good News! The FAFSA Application Will Be Easier

Students and/or their parents dread filling out the long list of questions to apply/reapply for financial aid from the government every year. Well, the current administration is hoping that'll be a thing of the past.

The government is changing FAFSA questions this January for many reasons (read here for the WSJ article). The two main reasons are to make it easier for families to fill-out the application and to decrease the amount of private students loans being taken out. What strikes me the most from reading the article is that 1.5 million students may be losing out on grant money from the government!

The government and colleges know that it's not easy funding a college education. At least the new administration is attempting to take away some of the stress from the process of getting aid to help fund students' educations.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

U.S. Accredited

There are also fully accredited U.S. Colleges located outside of the United States and fully recognized in the United States and in other countries. These are founded upon the American model of liberal arts education. Not only do these universities enroll U.S. citizens, the majority of students enrolled at these American accredited universities hold passports from countries other than the United States. No one country has a majority. Instruction is in English and the faculty have been educated all over the world. Their own educational experiences, grounded in the tutorial and coupled with the traditional U.S. model, provides a unique opportunity for learning. Such an educational opportunity will solidify skills needed for the ever changing and fast moving global economy of the 21st Century. At an American international university, you will enroll as a citizen of one country, but graduate as a citizen of the world.

Brian E. Davis
University Advisors

Foreign Institutions

Applying to study full time for a degree at a foreign institution is an education in itself. The application process is different than applying to a U.S. college or university and every country has its own entrance requirements and exams. The SAT and ACT tests that are recognized in the United States, are usually not even considered in other countries. Many countries require an additional year of high school prior to applying to university and the required entrance exam, taken after completing high school, may prove to be your downfall. The exception: those who have completed the International Baccalaureate.

The length of time to complete a degree at many foreign universities is usually three years---not the four that is typical for a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Instruction is usually in the language native to the country and the tutorial, not the lecture, is the standard mode of instruction. Exams, given once a year, are usually pass/fail---not the continuous assessment found at U.S. colleges. A degree from a foreign institution may not be recognized and accepted in the United States especially if they are from a University not well known in the United States.

Brian E. Davis
University Advisors

Study Abroad Opportunities: Part II of IV

Traditional Study Abroad

Many of these programs are offered by colleges and universities located in the U.S. These institutions run ‘branch campuses’ overseas. Many times these are for American students and are taught by U.S. faculty making them simply an extension---an overseas extension---of a U.S. experience. Still other programs are offered by foreign institutions and are designed as programs for ‘visiting students’ and do not integrate these ‘foreigners’ into their own classes or social activities.

Various U.S. organizations and U.S. colleges run exchange programs at colleges overseas. These programs often have an American coordinator with classes taken as part of the overall university and in the language of that country. The course work offered is designed to provide credit that will be recognized by the home institution in the U.S. In addition to the educational experience, a travel component is usually built-in to the program to provide an even greater opportunity to experience more than just the location and country where the program is located.

Brian E. Davis
University Advisors

Study Abroad: Part 1 of 4

This week I attended the annual conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Los Angeles, CA. While being involved with International Admissions for almost three decades, I am always encouraging students to look beyond the U.S. boarder and seek a global education.

Having worked for Universities in London, England and Rome, Italy for over twenty years, I have seen these two cities be an extension of the classroom not only for Study Abroad/Semester programs, but also for students seeking to complete their entire degree outside of the U.S.

With the rapid globalization of society and the many educational options available to you worldwide, studying abroad should be an integral part of your college education. And this option may not be just for a semester or a year. You may end up choosing to complete your entire university degree abroad!

The reasons for studying abroad differ for everyone---the chance to travel to another country for the first time, an opportunity to return to a country you visited in high school, or to immerse yourself into a language and culture you have always wanted to experience.

Your trip abroad in high school gave you a taste of what it would be like, but to actually live and study in another culture is truly an educational opportunity that should not be missed. Attending a university overseas will allow you to develop a sense of relationship to other cultures while still embracing your own.

There are several different types of educational opportunities available to you abroad as an American college student. Most students have a more traditional view of study abroad which is synonymous with Junior Year or semester abroad. Studying abroad can also mean enrolling at a foreign, non-American institution. And for others, it is studying abroad for all four years. For some of them it is enrolling and receiving an American accredited degree at a college overseas.

Whatever the international educational experience you decide to pursue, you will be making the world a part of you. As a result of the cross-cultural/multi-cultural skills required, the linguistic ability needed, the broad knowledge base acquired, and the sense of self-reliance needed to survive internationally, you will develop an expanded world view called globalism.

You will come away with an ability to observe without judgment and communicate across differences as a result of your new global perspective. A life changing and diverse challenge awaits you in what ever international educational experience you choose. With the world becoming smaller a global educational is something that should be part of your college curriculum.

Brian E. Davis
University Advisor

Things to do in the summer before senior year

Work for the summer is not only great for your wallet but also great for your resume. The more work experience you have the better as it shows responsibility and maturity. Volunteering or doing some type of community service is always a good idea as well. Get involved in your community talk to a counselor for suggestions they will suit your strengths and abilities. Camps are another great addition to your summer as you can build a lot of strong skills whether you’re attending or working at the camp.

Take the SAT/ACT at least 2 times, but you should take it at least ones in the summer and at least one more time in the beginning of the fall, as each college will give you the best on each part as your total score. Most colleges are still only looking at your Reading and Math sections and basing their average on a 1600 not a 2400 with the writing portion added in, this a great question to ask of the Admission office at each college your applying to. Talk to a counselor to find out what may be a better test for you to take either the SAT or ACT, and find out the differences between them.

Touring college campuses – a great time to meet with coaches as they are not in season and have time to meet, call the Admission office at least 2 weeks ahead of time to schedule visit and then contact coaches to let them know of your scheduled day and time and that you would like to meet before or after your scheduled tour time if they are available. Also any other special programs that you might be interested in are great to visit in the summer as this tends to be the college’s down time.

Start preparing your paperwork for the fall by outlining your resume from the past 3 years and add your senior year later when applicable. Make sure to include all your extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, work experience, community service or volunteering, anything you do outside of school that will help to show your maturity, responsibility, and willingness for getting involved.

Have an adult conversation with your parents if you have not already about your family’s financial situation and what you will be able to afford. A term to start to know is your Family’s Estimated Contribution or FEC. When working with colleges’ financial aid office they will be using this term often.

Athletes start gathering up all your sports coverage for a highlight film to have to show college coaches, get signed up on athletic recruiting web-sites, and talk to you high school coaches of club team coaches to get signed up for showcase tournaments in your area. If you are planning on playing Division I or II and looking for scholarship information you need to sign up with the NCAA clearinghouse and for Division III you only need to contact the college coaches.

Aaron Smith
University Advisors

For High School Juniors – Snapshot Time

Your junior year will be ending in a few short weeks. Now is the time to do a “college admission self-assessment.”

A few key questions suffice:

1. What is your three-year grade point average?
2. What are your junior-year SAT I or ACT scores?
3. What are your senior-year courses?
4. What is your tentative list of colleges as I enter the summer?
5. Are my grades and scores consistent with the academic and admission requirements of the colleges on my tentative list?

You have very specific answers for the first three questions. The next two pose a greater challenge.

If your tentative list is short – perhaps very short – then now is the time to check with your guidance counselor for additional suggestions. Or perhaps it is time to think about consulting with a private college advisor. Or both!

June is the time to check out college web sites for visitation schedules and summer day programs for rising seniors and their families. June also is the time to plan day or longer trips with your family to visit as many of your tentative choices as possible. Most colleges now encourage students to register for their visits online.

While on the web site you also should be looking for an answer to the last question: is my academic record consistent with the profile of students my colleges usually accept? Look on the admission section of the colleges’ web sites and heed the requirements and the entering class profile (most colleges list both).

If you judge your qualifications to be “in the ballpark” with recently enrolled students, then plan your visits! If your qualifications do not appear to be reflective of your colleges’ expectations, your self-assessment should result in developing a different and more appropriate list.

Will Dunfey
University Advisors

What Does Your Ideal College Look Like?

Where will your college be? Will you look for colleges in your hometown, your home state, or out of state? Will you search for in the city, the country, or colleges in the suburbs? Do you want to live at home, on campus in the dormitories, or in an off-campus apartment? What type of college are you looking for; a technical or trade school, two year or four year colleges? Also will you pick a public (state) or private college, or a liberal arts college?

What are you looking for in a student body size? Would you like a men or women’s only college or a co-educational college? Are you looking for a large (more than 10,000) medium (4,000-10,000) or small (less than 4,000) college? Does ethnic or religious breakdown or affiliation make a difference to you? Do you know any family, friends, or other students from your school or community that attend the college you’re looking into? What types of majors and/or programs are offered and what are you looking for?

What is the college’s academic reputation for teaching styles (hands-on, lecture, seminar)? Are the classes taught by actual professors or teachers assistants? What are the average class sizes of the college, and are you able to study evening, weekend or part time or full time only? What are the qualifications of the average student that is accepted? What is the average GPA, SAT/ACT, and class rank?

What type of non academic activities are you looking for; things like sports (Division I, II or III) both collegiate and intramural, clubs, music, arts, SGA, fraternities or sororities, jobs on campus and all extracurricular activities. What types of internships, career services, community service, and study abroad options are there for you?

Another very important component to ask about that most don’t think about is the support services or programs the college offers? Do they have counseling and tutoring and is it free, and who is the tutor a student or a professional? The next really important thing to consider is the cost of the total tuition, room and board. Do they offer in-state or out of state tuition? What is the percentage of students that receive financial aid and what is the opportunity to renew financial aid after the first year?

How to find out this information? Talk to people – family, friends, teachers, and guidance counselors. Attend college fairs at your school, local schools, or national NACAC fairs.
Use the Internet to research colleges and have them send you information. Finally, schedule campus tours, visit campuses, and engage admission staff.

Aaron Smith
University Advisors

March Madness Is Over

UNC earned the men’s basketball championship vs. Michigan State University last night. Congratulations to the team!

When I was a child, I always wanted to attend a Division I school that had a winning men’s basketball or football team. I admired the passionate crowds, the fan celebrations after winning important games, and generally wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted my alma mater to be a winner!

Well, I never attended a Division I school for college and I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t the right fit for me academically, athletically, or socially. As a teen-ager making my final college decision in the spring of my high school senior year, I was advised by family to consider a small school with a personalized education. It didn’t have a huge student body or a big brand name, but it did have classes taught by faculty, administrators that knew my name, and classmates that were probably more passionate than the ones I viewed on television as a child. Plus, I was able to graduate in four years, enroll in a top ten graduate program, and successfully begin my career in higher education administration.

Who needs a national championship when you have all that?

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

So, you’ve been accepted to several schools and you have a decision to make before May 1. What are you going to do?

1. Create a spreadsheet and write down all the pros and cons of the schools.

2. If cost is a factor, estimate how much it will cost over four years and if you have the money and/or are prepared to incur debt. No matter what, college is an investment in your future!

3. Visit the campuses. Many schools have admitted student receptions or open houses. Some may even have an overnight program to better acquaint you to the academic and campus culture.

4. Talk with current students, alumni, and faculty. Find out what’s going on with their campus by picking-up the student newspaper or reading it online.

5. Be patient and wait till you are ready to make a decision. This is an important decision, and needs to be carefully considered. Talk with people that know you the best – family, friends, and mentors.

Happy thinking!

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

New Loan Policy from Sallie Mae

Last week, Sallie Mae announced that it’s changing its lending rules for its signature loan for the 2009-10 academic year. Here are the pros and cons:

I always like starting out with the cons and ending with the pros so the last thing the reader remembers is positive J

Cons

-Interest payments on the loan start while you’re in school.

-It just got harder for families to get a private loan and in the tough credit market, that’s not good news.


Pros

-Value of loan payment will be cut up to 40% over its life!

-Loan payments will be 5 to 15 years instead of 15 to 30.

Why did Sallie Mae make this change? It’s a cash flow issue – they get the money back faster and don’t have to wait till the student graduates.

A higher education is an investment and loans will continue to be a part of the process.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Spring NACAC College Fairs

It’s mid-March and for juniors in metropolitan areas around the U.S., there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be a NACAC college fair in your region. NACAC fairs give students the opportunity to visit various college booths and learn more about higher education opportunities available. College representatives are friendly, informative, and can be an advocate for you in the admission process. You’ll notice some familiar college names, but many of the institutions represented will be out of your region, out of your state, and in some cases, international!

I’ve heard many students ask why going to college fairs is important since all the information is available online. Well, the information is online, but learning about other college possibilities, engaging people, and taking an active first step in the college search is productive. Parents should allow their son(s)/daughter(s) to drive the process when you arrive at the fair (after all, it’s the student that will be enrolling in college, not the parent!). Come prepared with some questions that may not be found online and with an adhesive address labels so you don’t have to fill out college inquiry cards repeatedly. Admission Officers will be impressed with good questions. You may even want to take their card for follow-up purposes down the road.

It’s also important to take notes about the specific schools so you remember what you heard and/or learned. The college search can sometimes be a maze and with thousands of schools out there, you want to have the information documented in a systematic way that works for you.

Good luck beginning your college search! You will not be disappointed by the NACAC Fair in your area.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

College Admission Status Letters in the Mail

March is typically the month where many students will be notified of their admission status. For some, the letters bring and for others, disappointment. Some will be on wait lists. If students have done their college homework and applied to six to eight schools that are their "first choice" schools, they won't be in despair if they're only accepted to one school.

Students might be in a situation where they're accepted to more than one "first choice" school. Over the next six to seven weeks, you'll have the time to think through the pros and cons of what those particular institutions can offer you. Perhaps you'd like to revisit the campus? Or spend some time in a class, or in a residence hall. Choosing a college is an important decision, and students need to take the time and make an informed decision. A good fit over brand name is always a wiser choice.

No matter if you are accepted, wait listed, or denied, stay positive this spring. You will have a choice.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Stimulating Accessibility to Higher Education

A higher education is a life-long investment. It's nice to know that the federal government feels the same way. If you watched Obama's speech to congress, he gave us sobering news about how less than 50% of students who enroll in college actually finish. The reasons are many - money, timing, family, fit, etc. By 2020, he wants an american workforce where at least 50% are college educated. Here's how his administration will help meet that goal.

The federal government will spend approximately $13 billion in stimulus funds on improving the accessibility of financial aid to college students around the country. It is predicted that the stimulus will offset about $2,500 in college costs on average for millions of lower class and middle class families. In addition, Pell Grant and College Work Study allocations are set to increase.

Pell Grant funding will increase its maximum award by $500 next school year, to $5,350. Additionally, taxpayers earning up to $80,000 for single filers or $160,000 for joint filers will be reimbursed for the first $2,000 of tuition and books. Unlike previous student financial policy, college students who file separately from their parents and who don’t make enough money to pay taxes will be eligible for a rebate. The bill will also allow families to spend money from over 500 college savings plans on computers.

What does all this really mean for families? This doesn't mean that tuition for higher education will stop or that it'll be easier to get into the more competitive schools. What it does mean is the federal government is doing what it can at this point to fund american's higher education aspirations. I'm still advising families to save for college, apply for outside scholarship money, and to look for the best possible loans.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

How to get the most out of your college campus visit

Visiting a college campus plays a vital role in the college admission process for both the student and college. The student is able to see firsthand what the campus grounds, building, staff and students are like, and the college gets to see what the student’s personality and character is like. The recommended time to visit a college campus is during the spring of the student’s junior year of high school through the fall of their senior year. Visiting during the summer is fine but realize that most college student will not be there so you may not get the full vibe of the college.

In order to schedule your campus visit come up with a day and time that works best for you and your family (always have a back up date too just in case) and then call the college to see what their availability may be. Most college websites will have their available hours of operation and all of the contact information. It is very important for the student to be making this phone call as this is your education and you need to start taking responsibility for it yourself. When visiting the college, show up prepared and nicely dressed. You do not have to wear a suit but look at it this way: would you wear a t-shirt and jeans to a job interview? This interview will help you get into the college you want; thus, the career you want. The major things to accomplish during a campus visit are to tour the campus and have an Admission interview. Touring the campus allows you to see class rooms, residence halls, sport and recreational facilities, libraries, student centers and any other areas of interest. For example, if you are interested in majoring in Nursing, ask to see the nursing labs or if you want to be on TV or Radio ask to see the stations. The Admission interview is your time to shine and allows your personality to shine through, allowing the Admission Counselor to acknowledge your potential at the college and lets them put a face with your name. This is also your time to ask questions and this is where being prepared comes into play. Having a list of questions to ask shows that you’re interested and you have the maturity of wanting to find the right college.

Here are some great questions to ask:

What are the class sizes?

What is the student to teacher ratio?

Are there any support services like tutoring and is it free?

Is housing guaranteed?

Are there any resources on campus for internships and job placements?

How are your study abroad programs?

How are the sports programs, intramurals, weekend life and activities?

What is the % of students that live on campus? Percent that are out of state and where?

What is the student retention rate?

More questions include: is there part time or full time faculty?, future strategic plan for the college?, what is allowed in the residence halls?, wireless and where?, meal plans and what is the surrounding area like? Some good final questions include: why the counselor likes working for the college and what makes that college different from the rest? After the interview, ask for a business card so you can send a personal thank you card.

If you are traveling and trying to see as many colleges as you can in a set amount of time think about this: the average college campus tour is around one hour and the Admission interview will last around thirty minutes to an hour. If you schedule yourself to meet with a coach or person from any other specific program then that is additional time as well. This can add up to around three or more hours at just one college so I suggest only two colleges a day; one morning visit and one later afternoon visit is plenty. This will allow your brain to let it all sink in as there is a lot of information flying at you for one day. If for some reason you are going to be late for your appointment or cannot attend at all, make sure to call and cancel. Not showing up without explanation is unacceptable.

To conclude, always have this in the back of your mind: the Admission Counselor’s job is to find students that can add to the prestige of their university. What do you possess that they are looking for? What are their weaknesses you can help to make their strengths- academically and socially? Sell that and you will have them knocking on your door.

By: Aaron F. Smith and Jerrod Zertuche
University Advisors

College Admissions Waiting Season

For most applicants thin or thick envelopes arrive from colleges in dribs and drabs from early January through late March. It is “waiting season” for students as they anticipate decisions from their colleges: accepted, denied, or wait-listed.

As a college consultant this is the time of year I check in with my seniors about where they stand with their colleges. An advisee from New Jersey responded to me this morning: three acceptances, two denials, one wait-list, and two still-to-be-heard-from. Other advisees, applying to high-profile colleges, will wait until late March before hearing from any of their choices.

Admission officers gathering at recent College Board sessions around the country dreaded their own “worry season” as to decision-making about the numbers of students to accept in an unpredictable and financially challenging year. They too have their own “waiting season” in April as they keep tabs on the number of students responding positively to their offers of acceptances (in admission parlance – “the yield”).

This year especially students would be wise to be patient during their “waiting season.” Before making a decision and sending in a deposit by May 1, the Candidates’ Reply Date, students should adhere to these maxims:

1. Sustain an open mind until all decisions have arrived;
2. Keep in mind merit and need-based awards before making comparisons of actual cost for each public and private college on your list;
3. Attend the “accepted student” functions for your top choices – even if you have visited these colleges previously because visits in the spring can provide fresh information and insights as you hone in on your final choice.

Be patient and thoughtful in the “waiting season.”

Will Dunfey
University Advisors

University of California Regents Change Admission Policies

The UC Board of Regents approved a change to the University's admission policy that will affect current high school students graduating in 2012 and beyond. The new policy requires the same number of "a-g" courses and the same GPA as current policy.

The two key differences are:

1. These changes will not change the way students prepare for the University: students still need to complete the"a-g" requirements, earn the best grades possible, and take the ACT Assessment with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. They will also need content knowledge in case they choose to take an SAT Subject Test to demonstrate specific subject-matter proficiency.

2. Students who graduate from high school prior to 2012 will be held to existing admissions requirements. Moreover, this means that these students will be required to submit scores from two SAT Subject Tests in order to be eligible for admission (which is the policy now).

You can find out more information about the policy here.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Hitting College Application Deadlines

It’s that time of year again when regular admission deadlines are looming. Students will sometimes wait till the last minute to upload their essays, or request transcripts, or ask teachers for letters of recommendation. There’s no point in procrastinating till the last day when you have months of planning time to make sure all necessary documents are received well before the deadline.

During these challenging economic times, there are some advantages to submitting your application before the deadline. The first is that many institutions are sending acceptance letters faster than in previous years because they want you to strongly consider them as an attractive option. Second, for students’ and parents’ sake, there is no need to compound the stress of waiting till the last minute when one missed item can cause a delay in an institution making a decision, or even worse, not considering the student at all because there are missing components to the application.

The college search can be stressful, but taking the anxiety out of it is very easy, especially at this time of the admission cycle. If students find themselves in the precarious position of missing a deadline, they should consider strongly calling the institution and asking what their options are. It never hurts to ask!

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Ten Financial Aid Questions

Let's face the fact that financial aid can make or break a decision about attending a particular institution. Here are ten questions that I recently read about from the latest HECA e-newsletter that you can ask an admission officer about financial aid before making an informed decision:

1. What is the average four-year graduation rate? What are some reasons why students don’t graduate in four years?
2. What is the average loan debt of a graduating senior?
3. How do you handle outside scholarship awards? Some colleges will reduce loan and/or grant awards.
4. What are the projected tuition increases over the next four years? What’s been the rate over the last five years compared to inflation?
5. Do you offer both merit and need based aid?
6. When packaging financial aid awards, do you meet full need or gap students?
7. Is institutional aid available, and if so, is it re-evaluated annually based on a family’s circumstances?
8. Does applying to financial aid impact admission decisions?
9. What are the criteria for merit aid?
10. Which need analysis methodology do you use?

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

Be Realistic: Plan Ahead for Your College Options

Colleges can't accept everyone. Just like any other consumer product (and yes a college education is a consumer product!) there is supply and demand.

Many colleges have only so many places and the job of the admission office is to find students to fill those places without over enrolling. The Ohio State University marching band can only have one tuba player dotting the "i" on Ohio during the halftime show! And colleges only have so many seats in classrooms and beds in the residence halls.

Supply and demand is what makes certain colleges or majors selective; thus, they can pick and choose exactly who they want and who they think will enroll.

This selectivity causes many very good students (even valedictorians) and those who are class presidents with many extra-curricular activities to be rejected from their first choice college. It comes down to is a numbers game. And sometimes these numbers are not SAT scores, GPA, yards per carry, number of extra-curricular activities or leads in the school play.

If you've “got the numbers and resume” you should still apply to the selective places, but you should also apply to others that are not as competitive for admission. You will get in somewhere. It may not be your top choice, but you will find the place which will be "exactly the right school for you.”

This is also the reason for applying to schools that you definitely want to go to or where you will be happy if your first choice college doesn't accept you. Being realistic about the places you apply will eliminate the stress of the process not only for yourself, but also for your parents.

Plan ahead for options now!

Brian E. Davis
University Advisors

Online Admission Interviews

Many students have and/or will cast a wide net when applying to colleges and universities for fall 2009 admission. Some small to mid-size schools require an interview, whether it’s on-campus or remotely with a regional admission officer or alum. However, a few schools are trying a different approach – online interviews.

Online interviews are not a new phenomenon, but they are not commonplace in higher education. I see that changing, though. Most macintosh computers have built in cameras or students can purchase webcams for $30 at your local target. But, is the online interview a better option than in-person? If you can’t get to the campus or have scheduling problems, yes, it is. If you can do the former, face-to-face is always the way to go. I’ve conducted face-to-face interviews and on the telephone, but never online. I have, however, used gmail’s video chat, which is a compelling option to stay in touch with family and friends on the other side of the country.

Colleges have been slow to integrate the online interview option. Perhaps savvy prospective students could broach the subject of having an online interview with their admission officer? That would catch my attention as the interviewer and make me aware of the assertiveness of the student and his/her interest in my institution.

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors

College Campus Trips/Tours

I’m always amazed at how students choose colleges Most times, it’s the brand name, or a family member attended, or a high school friend is going, or it’s in-state/close to home (perception that tuition will be cheaper). I rarely hear a student say: I’m interested in X school because I visited the campus when I went on a college campus trip/tour. Students that go on college campus trips/tours are the ones I enjoy working with because someone (their parents, their guidance counselor, or perhaps themself?) took the initiative to learn more about the “lived experience” of a school. In this age of facebook and google searches, it’s comforting to know that students will look outside their limited view and focus on the possibilities, which are initially found on the campus itself.

There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.

Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors